Where You Gonna Go?

[+ Lucky]

Making travel plans this year could be difficult if you are worried about the H1N1 virus. One report says that Great Britain, where I was going to go, will have 100,000 new cases- per day- by August. Argentina, where I've gone two summers in a row, is talking about closing movie theaters and other public gathering spots as cases in that country have reached 100,000. If you go to China, you could be quarantined just for being on the plane with someone who has a fever! In the US, very few states are unaffected, and one million cases are estimated to have already occurred.

 

To me it seems like Russian roulette. Most cases seem to be mild, but then if you are one of the few to hit the jackpot-death- then those statistics are not so comforting to your family. (Not that I know how many cases Russia has had!)

 

What are the risks of staying home? Well, in my area, not too high, especially as we have some of the hottest weather in the country. So far, no one here has reported having this flu, and I don't know anyone who has had it either. But I am not sure how comforted I am supposed to be by that.

[+ Charlie]

Alaska is nice this time of year. And Sarah now has some free time, if you want to visit her.

[KMEM]

Charlie has a good idea. Alaska is offering some really good deals, if you like cruise ships and visiting beautiful countryside. However, I have observed before that your idea of attractive wild life and mine are somewhat different.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[JT Brooklyn]

Visit Palin!

 

alaska is nice this time of year. And sarah now has some free time, if you want to visit her.

Luv It!

[Lankypeters]

One report says that Great Britain, where I was going to go, will have 100,000 new cases- per day- by August. ....... Most cases seem to be mild, but then if you are one of the few to hit the jackpot-death- then those statistics are not so comforting to your family.

 

 

And would you want to come down with the flu as you headed home? Or pick it up on from someone crammed in with you on a plane? Disconcerting. I have plans to visit Great Britain in October and this prediction you mention of 100,000 new cases a day does give me pause. Though other sources challenged that possibility, suggesting cases will taper off this summer in the warm weather.

 

I'm hoping a vaccine will be ready by September, before I depart. Because.........I really, really want to make my annual retreat.

[+ Lucky]

As of two weeks ago ago, Alaska had 36 reported cases of swine flu. Additionally, five employees on a cruise ship there had the swine flu.

 

 

As for the vaccine. knowing the history of the last swine flu vaccine, I wouldn't want to be among the first to get it.

[KMEM]

So, are you looking for zero cases of flu. Alaska seems ideal, not only according to your own stated statistics but in general. Every year and all the time, there are many cases of flu. We all seem to be over reacting.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ purplekow]

Well I have tested positive for the "swine" flu and had a very mild episode Was in bed for two days with fever and sweats. I can think of better ways to spend two hot and sweaty days in bed but in reality, my case was no worse than a bad cold.

In addition, there have been about 20 people with swine flu in my practice and none of them have been very ill and most was better by the time we got the test resuilts back.

[+ Lucky]

Maybe you just had purplekow flu?

[+ purplekow]

The difference between the 2 days in bed with the swine flu and 2 days in bed with a great escort? With the swine flu you go to bed achy, tired, unable to move and two days later you are feeling great with a smile from ear to ear after sweating and straining and moaning and groaning. With a great escort, you go to bed feeling great and after two days of sweating and straining and moaning and groaning you get out of bed achy tired and unable to move and with a smile from ear to ear.

[+ Gar1eth]

As of two weeks ago ago, Alaska had 36 reported cases of swine flu. Additionally, five employees on a cruise ship there had the swine flu.

 

 

As for the vaccine. knowing the history of the last swine flu vaccine, I wouldn't want to be among the first to get it.

 

I have looked at this before--that was a fluke. A new swine flu vaccine shouldn't have any greater risk of Guillain Barre than any current flu vaccine.

 

Gman

[+ Lucky]

So far purplekow is the only one I know who has had the swine flu. Yet it seems rampant in summer camps. One camp in Norway just sent 1700 kids home. Think of how that screwed up their parents' fucking plans!

 

Some scientists are suggesting that it might be better to get swine flu now, rather than later, when there is a possibility that it will have evolved into a more serious version. Getting it now might give you immunity against the greater danger later...if it happens. But they do seem certain that swine flu will hit again in the US in the fall.

 

I have been to Alaska three times. Unless I get to fuck with Levi Johnston, I don't need to go again. Right now there is hardly any, if any, swine flu in my area.

[+ purplekow]

Yes there is a lull in the occurence, they are expecting a new outbreak with the coming school year. Hopefully it will remain the relatively weak virus it is now.

I can however think of much better ways to spend a few days in bed. One of the lasting side effects of swine flu is the repetition of only mild amusing jokes.

[Luv2play]

The best way to avoid getting the swine flu is by washing your hands frequently. I don't think you have to be obsessive about it but especially after being in public places if you have touched surfaces such as door knobs then wash your hands before you start touching your face.

 

If it's any consolation, for those of us who are over 60 there is less likelihood in contracting swine flu and for some reason, younger people are more at risk. The very elderly can also be at higher risk but that wouldn't apply to any of us, surely!

[KMEM]

In these kinds of cases, obsessive never hurts. Works for colds and all sorts of germ and virus caused infections. If you can't just stay away from others (who might be ill) then getting rid of their residue that might have accumulated on you is the next best thing.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ g56whiz]

The difference between the 2 days in bed with the swine flu and 2 days in bed with a great escort? With the swine flu you go to bed achy, tired, unable to move and two days later you are feeling great with a smile from ear to ear after sweating and straining and moaning and groaning. With a great escort, you go to bed feeling great and after two days of sweating and straining and moaning and groaning you get out of bed achy tired and unable to move and with a smile from ear to ear.

 

And with the escort, you get out of bed after two days, a significant sum poorer!

[+ g56whiz]

Oh Lucky! Just go to Rio hire the best guy you can find at Club 117. And then if the worst happens and you actually get the Swine Flu, you've two days to relive the glorious fantasy you've just experienced!

[+ Lucky]

In the past two summers, I have gone to Rio and Argentina. But why go somewhere where there is a good chance of getting sick? I wouldn't go to Argentina after reading this from the Times:

 

The State Department issued a travel alert this week in response to a swine flu outbreak in Argentina.

 

The alert does not recommend an outright ban on travel to Argentina, but reiterates general guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among other things, the alert recommends that “Americans at high risk for complications of influenza,” including children under 5 and adults over 65, “discuss their travel plans with their doctor.”

 

Although the winter flu season is just beginning in Argentina, the outbreak has killed more people in Argentina than in any other country in South America.

 

Argentina has announced a $263 million effort against the H1N1 influenza outbreak, according to the State Department. “Twelve of Argentina’s districts, including the Province of Buenos Aires and the city of Buenos Aires, have declared administrative health emergencies,” the alert states. “Throughout the country, authorities advise against attending events involving large gatherings of people. “

 

Americans living or traveling in Argentina are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration Web site.

[edjames]

I guess everyone has to make up there own mind about traveling these days. Terrorist attacks, bird hits, mechanical plane problems, swine flu, and a host of other ailments and disastrous consequences could keep everyone home cowering in their closet.

 

If you have a compromised immune system, I'd say take caution when planning a trip, and discuss your own personal health situation and traveling with your physician.

 

I just returned from Montreal. I'm still alive and kicking, so I guess I didn't come into contact with any deadly germs, although I had an encounter of with some rock hard cock at the Stock bar! (LOL)

 

I'm off to P-town in a few weeks, followed by a quick trip to Florida in September and I just finalized my flights for London/Paris in October. I'm pre-planning a trip to Las Vegas early in 2010 and another European trip next spring.

 

Basically, as a traveler, I have no plans to visit any farms or come in contact with chickens or swine during my trips. Furthermore, I don't plan to visit any depressed economic areas where I would come in contact with those who may be infected.

 

For goodness sakes, I live in the heart of New York City and I come in contact with hundreds of thousands of tourists and visitors to this large metropolis every day on the street, on buses, and in the subways. I can't keep my head buried in the sand and ignore the world and let it pass by. I personally know of no other New Yorker who has had swine flu or has come into contact with a friend or relative that has contracted the virus. So, just exercise a healthy dose of caution and good common sense and don't let the media scare you silly.

 

ED

[KMEM]

" don't let the media scare you silly"

 

The media ALWAYS scares me silly.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Lucky]

This is for those who might be worried about catching the swine flu on a plane, from the Latin America herald tribune:

 

Girl Dies on Flight to Brazil

 

SAO PAULO – A 15-year-old girl who had exhibited symptoms of the AH1N1 flu virus while in the United States died on a flight over the weekend to Sao Paulo, Brazilian media reported.

 

The teenager died aboard a Copa Airlines plane that arrived at the Sao Paulo airport on Sunday.

 

The Panamanian carrier said two doctors aboard the plane tried to assist the girl, but she was pronounced dead on arrival in Sao Paulo.

 

The teenager had traveled to Orlando to visit Disney World and came down with symptoms characteristic of the AH1N1 flu virus while in Florida, Tia Augusta Turismo, the tour agency that organized the trip, said.

 

The girl was examined at an Orlando hospital and doctors determined she was not infected with the flu virus.

 

U.S. health officials allowed the girl to return to Brazil, the tour company said.

 

Copa Airlines did not say what type of illness the teenager suffered during the flight.

 

The coroner’s office will determine the cause of death. EFE

[KMEM]

Not to belittle or disregard this poor unfortunate girl's fate, but unless you are a 15 year old girl, why are you so worried?

 

The point being and the evidence seems so far irrefutable, that the swine flu affects younger folks much more than those older. I don't think you qualify, Lucky, on either count.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest zipperzone]

 

U.S. health officials allowed the girl to return to Brazil, the tour company said.

EFE

 

Smart move - move the cost of treatment offshore.

[+ Lucky]

Not to belittle or disregard this poor unfortunate girl's fate, but unless you are a 15 year old girl, why are you so worried?

 

The point being and the evidence seems so far irrefutable, that the swine flu affects younger folks much more than those older. I don't think you qualify, Lucky, on either count.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

My friend, you are misreading this thread if you think it is my own worry about catching swine flu that prompts it. I think that travel is going to be a problem in the spread of the flu, but, as you kindly point out, I am older, and thus probably immune. The theory is that the swine flu epidemic of 1957 was so widespread that most people living then acquired immunity to the present flu. My thread is meant to have an interesting discussion on the probabilities and possibilities of the flu spreading. Many posters here are under 60, so it may interest them more.

You can Google the immunity theory if you wish. Here's one article to start with:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1192771/Anxious-swine-flu-If-youre-60-relax.html

[KMEM]

I guess I was misreading it or remembering another thread with a similar name where you discussed your own possible vacation spots but seemingly lamented the flu's prevalence in all the ones attractive to you. Possibly I leaped to the conclusion that with the title, "Where you gonna go" some of the "worries stated" might be the same or similar.

 

I had no intention of calling you "older" but I was willing to chance a remark that you were not a 15 year old girl. If "experienced" people were largely immune to the flu, I would have no problem thinking that included you.

 

Best regards,

KMEM